Marco Rubio Announces Online U.S. Passport Applications

Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that first-time U.S. passport applications will transition fully to an online system starting next year. The new process allows applicants to submit their materials and take their own photos using personal devices, removing the requirement to visit libraries, courthouses, or post offices for in-person submissions. Rubio noted that applicants "can retake it until it’s the perfect shot," adding that citizens will no longer need to visit a drugstore for photos taken behind a white screen.

The United States Department of State intends for the vast majority of Americans to utilize the online application system by the end of 2027.

Alongside the digital transition, Rubio introduced a new passport design for 2028 titled "Flight of the Eagle." The updated document will feature a larger gold seal on the cover and an animated eagle image inside that appears to flap its wings as pages are flipped. These changes follow the July release of limited-edition "patriot passports" that featured the image of President Trump.